Windrock Airlines pilot Lloyd Hedges had just completed an air tour of the Grand Canyon in "Rocky IV" when he began the final approach to Grand Canyon Airport's 9,000 foot Runway 21. Along with Hedges on board the Cessna Turbo 207 were six passengers enjoying their vacation with a quick 50 minute flight over the canyon. With little high-performance airplane experience, Hedges was new to the canyon's gusty April winds and new to the Cessna 207. Just before touchdown, a sudden gust caused the aircraft to "balloon" more than 70 feet above the runway. The startled pilot initiated a go-around.

Tower controllers witnessed several puffs of black smoke emanate from the aircraft and shortly thereafter, the pilot transmitted to controllers that he had lost power and was "Going Down". Just before impact, the aircraft stalled and rolled between two tall pine trees. Fortunately, the aircraft impacted upright in the bottom of a ravine about 1/2 mile off the departure end of the runway. In another twist of good fate, there was no post crash fire even though fuel was pouring from the ruptured wing tanks. Rescue teams arrived within minutes and everyone survived with injuries ranging from broken bones to permanent brain damage.

The accident investigation revealed several probable causes to the accident. The turbo-charger absolute pressure controller (APC) was found to be improperly adjusted by a mechanic. The pilot was blamed for improperly manipulating the powerplant controls during the go-around and Windrock Aviation was to blame for not training the pilot the proper procedures for operating a turbo-charged engine. After five years of litigation, a jury awarded a total of 9.2 million dollars to both the pilot and his passengers.

A brief second or two glimpse of the crash site was all I had when I flew over this accident in April 1990. Not really enough time to exactly see it's precise location. Twenty years later I decided to look for the crash site. It was not an easy task. I recall the aircraft lower in the ravine than it actually was.

Over the years forest growth and pine needles hid many parts. A search near the top of the ravine revealed the point of impact as the aircraft came to rest on the ravine's rocky slope. A few small pieces remain: bent eyeglass frames, a coin, and fragments of metal and Plexiglas mark this site.

The pilot was in the process of aborting the landing when the trouble occurred. An improperly adjusted turbocharger pressure controller combined with the pilot's lack of experience and training with turbocharged aircraft caused a loss of power to the engine.

Somehow the aircraft descended through this stand of trees without striking a single one. The aircraft then stalled and impacted the slope in the foreground.

After striking numerous boulders and rocks. The front of the aircraft sustained a majority of the damage while the passenger cabin remained intact. The aircraft was spared catching fire just by chance and pure luck.